The Five Bridges of Amakusa are a group of five bridges connecting the Uto Peninsula on the mainland of Kumamoto Prefecture with the Amakusa Islands. The route runs from Misumi in Uki City across Ōyano Island, Nagaurajima Island, Ikeshima Island, and Maeshima Island, before reaching Amakusa Kamishima Island. It opened on September 24, 1966, and is one of the most important transportation routes in the Amakusa region.
The route overlaps with National Routes 266 and 324 and is also a popular sightseeing drive. Travelers can enjoy views of the blue sea and the many islands scattered across the surrounding waters while crossing the bridges.
The route begins at the Five Bridges Entrance intersection on National Route 57 in Misumi, Uki City. From there, it branches toward the first bridge and continues across the islands in sequence.
Tenmon Bridge is the first bridge on the route. It connects the mainland at Misumi with Ōyano Island, providing the gateway from the Uto Peninsula to the Amakusa Islands.
Ōyano Bridge connects Ōyano Island with Nagaurajima Island. From this section onward, visitors begin to experience the distinctive island scenery that characterizes Amakusa Matsushima.
Nakanohashi Bridge connects Nagaurajima Island with Ikeshima Island. The surrounding waters are dotted with small islands, creating attractive views from the road.
Maeshima Bridge connects Ikeshima Island with Maeshima Island. It is part of the sequence of bridges that leads travelers through the beautiful island landscape of Amakusa Matsushima.
Matsushima Bridge is the fifth bridge and connects Maeshima Island with Amakusa Kamishima Island. After crossing this bridge, travelers reach the main island area of Amakusa Kamishima.
The entire route is approximately 17.4 kilometers long. It has played an important role not only in transportation but also in the development of the Amakusa region.
When the Five Bridges of Amakusa first opened, they operated as a toll road with an expected repayment period of 39 years. However, the opening of the route led to a rapid increase in visitors to Amakusa and a substantial rise in traffic volume.
As a result, the construction costs were recovered much earlier than expected, and the tolls were abolished after only nine years. The early transition to a free road helped encourage tourism and contributed significantly to the local economy.
An approximately 15-kilometer section of National Routes 266 and 324 along the Five Bridges is known as the Amakusa Pearl Line. The name reflects the area’s history of thriving pearl cultivation.
In 1987, the route was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Roads by the former Ministry of Construction and the organizers of Road Day. The selection recognized its beautiful scenery and the distinctive landscape created by the combination of sea and islands.
The Amakusa Pearl Line is particularly popular with drivers and motorcycle touring enthusiasts. Traveling along this coastal road offers changing views of the islands, inlets, and blue sea.
The stretch between Ōyano Island and Amakusa Kamishima is especially scenic. Numerous islands of different sizes are scattered across the water, creating a beautiful landscape known as Amakusa Matsushima.
This area is famous for its resemblance to the celebrated island scenery of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture. Amakusa Matsushima is counted among Japan’s Three Great Matsushima Landscapes, together with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Kujūkushima in Nagasaki Prefecture.
The second, third, fourth, and fifth bridges cross this island-filled area in succession. The views from the route make the journey itself an important part of the sightseeing experience.
In 1936, Jishu Mori, a member of the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly who came from Ōyano Island in the Amakusa Islands, proposed building bridges to connect Amakusa with the mainland.
At that time, the engineering technology required for such a project was considered insufficient. Many people dismissed his proposal as unrealistic and criticized him as a dreamer. Nevertheless, Mori continued to advocate the project, believing that a bridge connection with the mainland was essential for the future development of Amakusa.
The Amakusa Islands had valuable resources, including pearl cultivation, fisheries, and mineral resources. However, the lack of convenient transportation had restricted the region’s development.
Without bridges connecting the islands to mainland Kyushu, transportation depended heavily on boats. This limited the movement of goods and people and hindered the development of industry, commerce, and culture.
For local residents, creating a direct land connection with the mainland became an important goal for improving everyday life and supporting the regional economy.
Approximately 25 years after Mori first proposed the project, construction of the Five Bridges of Amakusa was officially approved in 1961. Work began in August 1962, with a project budget of 3.2 billion yen at the time.
The bridges were constructed over a period of four years. In September 1966, the long-awaited route was finally completed and opened to traffic.
The completion of the bridges brought major changes to transportation and everyday life in Amakusa. It also became a turning point in the development of the region as a whole.
The opening of the Five Bridges transformed transportation in the Amakusa Islands. Goods that had previously depended on shipping could now be transported by road, making distribution faster and more convenient.
The improved access also encouraged tourism. More visitors began traveling to Amakusa to enjoy its natural scenery, history, and culture. Hotels, traditional inns, sightseeing fishing boats, and other tourism facilities were established as the number of travelers increased.
The development of scenic driving routes made it easier for visitors to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Amakusa Matsushima. The islands became a popular destination for sightseeing, and the bridges themselves became major attractions.
The growth in visitor numbers encouraged the development of accommodation and leisure facilities throughout the region. Tourism became an increasingly important part of the local economy.
The bridges also improved the transportation of agricultural and marine products. This made it easier for local producers to distribute their goods and encouraged the development of regional specialties.
In particular, pearl cultivation and the production of Japanese Black cattle increased, helping strengthen the reputation and brand value of Amakusa products. The arrival of factories and major supermarket chains also contributed to the revitalization of the regional economy.
On February 21, 1922, the regular assembly of Amakusa District adopted a petition requesting the Minister of Railways to introduce railway services to Amakusa. This reflects the long-standing desire to improve transportation links between the islands and the rest of Japan.
In 1936, Jishu Mori proposed the construction of bridges connecting Amakusa with the mainland at the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. His proposal later became the foundation for the Five Bridges project.
In 1961, the construction of the Five Bridges of Amakusa was officially approved. Work began in 1962.
In September 1966, the five bridges were completed, strengthening the connection between the Amakusa region and mainland Kyushu.
The Five Bridges of Amakusa remain an important transportation route and one of the region’s best-known sightseeing attractions. The drive offers opportunities to admire the changing views of the sea, small islands, and coastal settlements.
The Amakusa Pearl Line is especially attractive for road trips and motorcycle tours. Visitors can combine the drive with sightseeing around Amakusa Matsushima and other coastal destinations.
The Five Bridges are more than a series of transportation structures. They represent the determination of local people to connect their islands with the mainland and have played a major role in the development of Amakusa’s economy, tourism, and everyday life.